Sybilla Emily Maude had a role in life she believed God called her to pursue. And so it was that she became one of the living stones in God’s house; giving herself to the physical, spiritual and medical care of the people of Christchurch. As the eldest in her family Sybilla’s young adult years were spent helping with her siblings, visiting local church families in need and, with the encouragement of her aunts, people in hospital. At the age of 27, certain of the call on her life, she set off to train as a nurse in England. Upon her return she was appointed Matron of Christchurch hospital. By this time she had already begun her vocation and adopting the title that would become a house-hold name, Nurse Maude. To provide some context the hospital during this period catered for only 60-80 and the city boasted a continually growing population of around 20-30,000 people. It was also pre-social welfare meaning patients had to pay for all care. The poor, elderly or those suffering from chronic conditions often missed out on treatment. Nurse Maude was passionate about the need for greater training for nurses as well as securing better working and living conditions. She had clashes with management over these matters, no doubt arising from her experience of the benefits of education alongside having seen how things were done in England. Many of the conditions then would cause a few of us to rise our eyebrows today. For example, the tworoom ward for infectious cases was located after the mortuary. The night-watchman, who often sought the company of a nurse apparently left the dead-house door unlocked one day. In defence, his comment was, “The folk’s wot’s inside can’t get out, and no folks wot’s outside want to get in!” During Nurse Maude’s second year at the hospital she met Rose Godfrey who was a Sister from the Anglican Community of the Sacred Name (the known as the Sisters of Bethany). It was the start of a life-long friendship. Observing the care the nuns provided for the needy poor in the community planted a seed. It was the recognition of the great need for medical care and improving people’s health outside the hospitals walls. Deciding to investigate what might be done, Nurse Maude secured financial and pastoral backing through the Anglican Church, of which she was a faithful member. Most notably support came from the Rev’ds Walter Averill and Edwin
Photo: Courtesy Christchurch City Libraries/CCL-PhotoCD13-IMG0039
Scott, and her personal friend Lady Heaton Rhodes. So it was in 1896 that District Nursing in Christchurch came into existence and Nurse Maude resigned from the hospital. In humble circumstances Nurse Maude set out on her new venture based at Deaconess House where her friend Rose lived. She had the use of a telephone and a cupboard for her supplies. Upon request Nurse Maude went to homes where the people either could not be admitted to the hospital or were unable to pay for the care of a nurse. Making visits on foot she was often seen carrying her medical supplies, along with pots 13